Figure 4.

Modeled relationship of Hgb trajectories, epo dose, and serum albumin concentration. No epo use is associated with Hgb decline (slope A). An average of 24,000 units in a patient with average and stable albumin is required to maintain Hgb (slope B). When serum albumin concentration is 1 SD below average, anemia is likely. Increase in serum albumin to SD above average is associated with rapid Hgb response (slope C). This slope is similar to that achieved by tripling the dose in the average patient (slope D).